Enjoy Sunshine, Embrace rain, and Live Life to the Fullest

We often live our lives in a mundane fashion. There are so few that truly look for adventure and actually seek those experiences out.

Why is adventure so important?

It’s the adventure that allows us to take a few moments to look into our soul.

Enjoying the Sun…. Embracing the Rain

Our souls are often neglected through the business of life. We tend to run so fast that we are unable to take a few minutes to reflect and consider if the path that we are on is actually the path that we are supposed to be on. Or is the path we are on something imposed on us by our circumstances or family?

My wife and I planned to take a kayaking adventure through Paddling Michigan. (Great company and an awesome guide named Andy) We were scheduled to leave about 3pm and take about 4 – 6 hours kayaking from Miner’s beach out to Lover’s leap and then back to Miner’s beach. That plan didn’t go exactly the way we thought.

A Short Weather Delay

We were delayed for a little while at the start of the journey, the weather was unpredictable and could have moved either way very quickly. Once the storm declared its intentions we were able to launch and start on the adventure.

My oh my, what an incredible start. The wind was coming out of the south which allowed for very calm water along the shoreline of Lake Superior. The sun was peeking through the different clouds giving us the splendor of Pictured Rocks.

(For those who don’t know, Pictured Rocks is a State Forest area in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The mineral found with the sandstone runs with the water down the side of the sandstone painting them with magnificent color. When the sun reflects off the sandstone set atop the crystal clear, intense tropical blue water, it is a sight unmatched anywhere in the US)

With the calm water we were able to sneak into the coves that were dripping the water leaking through the sandstone. The experience was breathtaking and something that is a once in a lifetime experience. We felt so fortunate to have some perfect weather and our hopes were high for an incredible sunset on the trip back, but that wasn’t to be.

We were Enjoying the Sunshine!

We had reached the halfway point of our trip, Lover’s Leap. Lover’s Leap is likely the most notable arch along Pictured Rocks. There are many legends that give the point character and charm. But the beauty and experience of paddling under this magnificent arch is an experience that and only be felt in person. It was at this point that the Coast Guard issued a weather warning and that all water craft needed to get off the water. You can always tell the guides that are worth their weight in salt by the way they act when plans change. Andy was one of those exceptional guides. We were able to land safely at Mosquito Beach and have our lunch while we waited further instructions.

Those instruction — Hike back to Miner’s beach. That’s right surprise, you now have a 4 mile, 2 hour hike back to your pick up spot. Everything changed in a few minutes. What we had planned and what we were about to do were clearly two different things. We hadn’t planned for a hike. We hadn’t prepared for a hike. There were 2 couples and our guide Andy. We now had to figure out how to carry our personal baggage and hike back 4 miles in either water shoes or bare feet.

You see, it is moments like these that define us. It is the chance to look into our souls to see what we are truly made of. To find out if there is a thread of steel that is woven into our soul or if we are find out there is a hollow vacant space. Upon looking inward you are going to find one of two things. The Reinforced steel support structure or absolute emptiness. What are you going to find?

When you are required to start looking inward and find that you haven’t built the steel reinforcements, there is nothing but absolute panic. A panic that causes you to freeze and not act. A panic that causes you to lash out at others. A panic that produces a complaining attitude. A realization that you should have done things different but by then it is just too late. You are in a situation that is completely out of your control and you are forced to adapt and make the best of the situation.

This is the time to Embrace the Rain!

I can say from the deepest part of my heart, I am blessed beyond words to have found my best friends and soul mate to embrace the rain with me.

Boy did we embrace the rain, both literally and figuratively.

With both couples we had no other options but to hike back. It was probably the most fun I have had in a very long time. Within 10 minutes of starting our hike back the sky began to rain, slow and steady. The type that you know will last a long time and drench everything. We LOVED it. It was a time we will not soon forget. We hiked for almost 2 hours and for 1 hour and 45 minutes of that hike we were drenched. We were virtually alone along one of the most amazing cliffs in Northern Michigan hiking in the pouring rain and absolutely loving it. We wanted this. We embraced this adventure know that we had the stamina and the courage to tackle the hike.

These are what memories are made of. These are the times that you look back and say we built a foundation that allowed us to “weather” (pun intended) any type of storm that may show up. We have spent the time building our souls so when things like this do happen we are able to rely on the support of our internal structure.  

What have you done lately to build your internal structure? Are you creating a foundation that will allow you to weather the storms that come in your life?

Creating a true balance in life is all about being able to —

Enjoy the Sunshine

… while there is time to enjoy the sunshine and

Embracing the Rain

… there will always be rain in our lives.

 

from
http://blog.livnfresh.com/enjoy-sunshine-embrace-rain-live-life-fullest/

Our Trip Kayaking Munising, Michigan

My wife and I had the chance to sneak away for a quick 2-day trip to Munising. We wanted to spend a little time checking out some of the different waterfalls but also take the time to kayak with Paddling Michigan and try to see the sunset as we were coming back. What we didn’t expect was the awesome adventure that awaited us.

Most people like to work through a plan or schedule of events and would rather not live for the adventure. But then where is the fun in that?

The Plan

Our plan was to arrive in Munising later in the evening, spend the next day according to our schedule and then head home the following day. What we didn’t know was that while we had planned out our events, the weather made different plans for us.

The morning after our arrival started out pleasant enough. There was a little sun and some clouds were passing through. It looked like an excellent day for kayaking but that wasn’t set to launch till about 3pm. So we were able to sneak a couple of quick little trips. In Munising there are many to choose from. The Twin Falls are one of those semi-secret locations. While they are not as well know as some of the other waterfalls around Munising they are some of the coolest. There is a short hike to get back to the 50’+ drops. When the water is flowing strong they are pretty incredible to see. The paths are well marked but as you walk along these cliff type edges you truly get the feeling that you’re walking back to a secret cove. Once you get into the cove you can totally immerse yourself in the waterfall which you would swear is really some far off tropical getaway. It’s amazing these are literally in our back yard and yet the location feels so secluded.

Our next stop was sand point. One of the most fascinating things you will find is the maroon sand. This maroon sand is called Jacobson Sand. It is only found along the shores of Lake Superior. The tale of Jacobson Sand is in itself nothing short of a mystery. Much like the Black beaches of some exotic far off place, the maroon sand holds its color and creates a feeling of wonder in finding something that you will not find anywhere else. Don’t miss it.

Finally Onto Kayaking

It is now finally time for our Kayaking trip. We knew immediately that this was the adventure that we had been waiting for. There was a massive storm system that was moving in and it had the chance to run either north or just a little south of use. The great thing about the storm is that it was being pushed by a southern wind. South winds make the water along the shoreline of Lake Superior calm and almost tropical. We were delayed until we knew it was safe to venture out on the water. The sun started to peek through in a couple of spots with made the combination of the calm water and the stained rocks breathtaking. These are some of the things that photos and words just cannot describe. The minerals from inside the sandstone leak out with the water and literally paint the sides of Pictured Rocks. This national park is one of best kept secrets of all the US parks. The chance to kayak up close to these 2000 ft cliffs is something you won’t soon forget.

As we got close to Lover’s Leap (the most well known arch along the Pictured Rocks) we received a call from the weather service, issuing a warning to get off the water. We were 4 miles away from our launch point on Miner’s Beach. Our only choice was to land on Mosquito Beach and hike back the 4 miles to Miner’s Beach. We had a few minutes to explore Mosquito River and had to sit in awe of the storm front that was moving across Lake Superior.

The hike back was part of the adventure we hadn’t planned on but in my humble opinion it is what makes memories. We all have choices that we face every day in our lives. We often plan our paths and activities but how often do those plans or activities turn out exactly as we had thought they would.  It is at these points that we make a decision. The decision that will truly touch your soul and allow you see what lies below our normal everyday way of life.

When it Rains, It Pours

About 10 minutes into our hike back to Miner’s beach it started to pour. A steady rain that you know is here for a while. They type that slowly drenches everything around you. It is at this point in our adventure that I can truly say “I absolutely love living in Northern Michigan.” The ability to get out where there is no cell phone coverage. Where there are no other people and it is just your group of friends and nature. A chance to look into your soul and discover what it means to be alive. Our 2 hour hike was one of the best hikes my wife and I have ever taken. It was a special experience that allowed us to say that we alone shared.

Living in Northern Michigan is a chosen lifestyle that we don’t regret. The experiences we can share along with the rest of our family are things that bring us closer and allow us to laugh and really know who we are instead of the fake profile accounts that so often permeate our lives.

All I can say is as you live your life – Enjoy the sunshine and Embrace the rain. You can’t avoid both and only you can decide what your memories will be.

For more outdoor activities around Michigan, make sure to bring something warm like our Beer Koozie Hoodie so you can stay warm while keeping your beverage cold.

 

from
http://blog.livnfresh.com/trip-kayaking-munising-michigan/

Our Overnight Waterfall Trip

We took off for an overnight trip to see a few of the larger more spectacular waterfalls of the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. One of the first stops we made on our way up was an old fashion drive-up dinner (which I honestly didn’t were still around). When we pulled up it was a little confusing, much like attempting to remember how to use an old rotary pay phone. The awkwardness of do I get out and go up to the counter or wait for this caffeine buzzed teenager to scurry over to take our order made the visit seem a little surreal at first. Ultimately, it was a cool experience. The food came out with a window tray and we were able to steal a couple of moments that had almost been forgotten with time.

A Sunset to Behold

Our journey took us to the edge of Lake Superior just outside of Marquette. There are tons of scenic turn offs but since the sun was just about to set we looked for an abandoned beach with hopes of catching some magnificent sunset colors. Sunset glowed in an incredible fashion as it reflected off Lake Superior. Several lonely pieces of driftwood allowed us to get some great set photos.

Michigan Waterfalls

We got up the next morning with high hopes and lots of energy. First stop, Canyon Falls. We were not disappointed. The short 10 minute walk to the deafening echoes of the falls from the canyon walls is well worth the trip. We spent the next ½ hour exploring the rest of the canyon. There were some hair raising drops and great views that allowed us to feel the awe of just how incredible the Upper Peninsula of Michigan really is. All in all we hiked about 2 miles and it was relatively leisurely.

We had planned to stop at Miner Falls and Munising Falls but decided to head straight to Sable Falls. The water was high and while the view was great the adventure was worth the stair climb. We made it down to one of the first side paths along the river and built a few stone towers. We then continued to adventure to the beach front. This is a Rock Collectors dream. The beach was alive with magnificent colors and all sorts of different type of rocks. We even found some petrified wood, which was  a unique find.

We made our way to Tahquamenon Falls. This engineering marvel shows how powerful a force water is. The water is a orangy brown from the amount of mineral deposit found throughout the Upper Michigan. The lower falls is where you will want to take a few moments to allow you to just take in all the sites. The stopping points allow for some incredible nature shots and if you have the time to sneak across to the island you will have an up close and personal experience with the mighty Tahquamenon Falls.

Show off your pride for Michigan and lake living with our fun Great Lakes Girl varsity sweater.

 

from
http://blog.livnfresh.com/overnight-waterfall-trip/

Rip Currents: Lake Michigan’s Deadly Grasps

What are rip currents?

A rip current or rip is a kind of water current which occurs in shore or near beaches with breaking waves. It is described as a strong and narrow current of water which is hard to see due to an absence of breaking waves.

It moves directly away from the shore and can be recognized only by a ripple on the surface of the water. Experts define it as a ‘river’ flowing out to the sea which has the strongest current near the surface. Some people often confusef rip currents with rip tides, which is a different type of current. A rip tide is a rapid movement of tidal water across the entryway of estuaries, inlets, and harbors.

Mostly seen in the Gulf, East, and West Coasts as well as in shores of the Great Lakes, rip currents are so powerful they can reach top speeds of eight feet per second. They can even move faster than the strongest Olympic swimmers.

 

One Dangerous Grasp

Rip currents are dangerous to people trapped in their grasp. People often who get caught in its deadly embrace instinctively attempt to swim straight back to shore. However, that’s a wasted effort and puts people at risk of drowning from exhaustion while fighting against the water’s movement. Panic and exhaustion are the leading cause of death for people trapped in rip currents.

Every year lifeguards rescue hundreds of thousands of beach goers from rip currents in the US alone. According to the US Lifesaving Association (USLA), an estimated 100 people die at the hands of rip currents worldwide, with almost half of all those being recorded in the US.

Based on USLA data, almost half of all lifeguard rescues are related to rip currents. Meanwhile, sharks only kill about 6 people annually around the world.

 

Rip currents in Lake Michigan

Behind Lake Michigan, serene beauty and picturesque beaches hide a deadly secret. Local authorities in Michigan claim that rip currents are the most dangerous occurrence when swimming the lake’s waters. Today, officials urge beach goers to enter the water with caution.

 

How Rip Currents Work

When rip currents occur, they form a narrow, strong tide that flows away from the shores. Nonetheless, there are different types of rip currents that form in a variety ways. They occur in places where there are breaks in a sandbar where water is funneled out to the sea. However, the strongest rip currents form in tight spots like jetties, piers, and groins.

 

Factors That Form Rip Currents

Factors that help form rip currents include the tide, weather, how the waves break from the shore, and the shape of the beach. Most rip currents form in certain beaches while others almost never see these dangerous currents.

The unpredictability of rip currents can carry unwary swimmers out to sea without warning. These strong currents usually move one to two feet per second with stronger rip currents reaching 8 feet per second. At that rate, even the fastest swimmer’s (Michael Phelps) stroke is about 6.6 feet/second and can’t contend with this natural phenomena.

 

How to Recognize Rip Currents

Local authorities keep reminding swimmers to enter the water cautiously. Avoidance is the key to prevent any accidents in the beach. It is important for swimmers to test the water before heading to deeper areas. Looking up weather updates and talking to lifeguards about the water conditions can further help prevent accidents.

Scientists have been observing and studying rip currents for over a century. Today, modern technology helps track rip current movement and speed. Still, even with the advancement of technology, no one can predict when rip currents will appear.

Rip currents often hide in deep sandbars that may look like calm spaces in the water. Turbulent breaking waves often appear along the sides of this calmer water. According to USLA look for the following signs for rip currents in the lake:

• Water with different color from the rest of the sea
• An area of uneven water
• A short and interval break in the incoming waves
• Debris, seaweed or a line of foam moving out to sea

 

Lifesaving Tips

If you ever find yourself in an unfortunate event and you get caught in a rip current remember not to fight with the waves. Instead swim parallel to the shore and, once out of the water’s pull, swim back to land at an angle.  Do not panic and if you can’t escape the current try to float or tread water until help can get to you.

 

If you’re heading to the beach, make sure to stay alert. And look great doing so while carrying your beach gear with this Great Lakes Girl sling bag.

 

from
http://blog.livnfresh.com/rip-currents-lake-michigans-deadly-grasps/